Carnegie Hall

• June 1, 2020: Audition excerpts posted for 2021 program
• July 6, 2020: Nomination form opens
• September 10, 2020: Application officially opens
• December 1, 2020: Deadline for nominations to be received by Carnegie Hall
• December 10, 2020: Application deadline     
• January 4, 2021: Recommendation deadline
• February 11, 2021: Applicants notified of status via email; audition feedback provided shortly thereafter
• Mid-May 2021: Audition excerpts posted for 2022 program
• July 2021: Program begins

NYO2 will be accepting applications for the 2021 season on all standard orchestra instruments. Based on the repertoire, we do not anticipate accepting harp and keyboard applications for the 2021 season.

• Audition Videos (see below)
• Biographical Essay: In approximately 300 words, describe your background and musical/educational experience. Also address how participating in this program would help you achieve your personal or artistic goals.
• Recommendations: You will be asked to enter email addresses for two required references; a third is optional. Each reference will receive a link to an online recommendation form after you submit your completed application. Please note that this email will be sent directly from Acceptd (not Carnegie Hall or NYO2). Your references will have until January 4, 2021, to complete and submit their confidential recommendations. References who can address both your personal and musical qualities, such as your music teacher(s) and/or ensemble conductor(s), are preferred.

All applicants to NYO2 are required to record a series of videos that include the content outlined below. Each performance segment must be recorded in one take with no editing (though you may select the best of several takes). All videos must be recorded within eight months of the application deadline. Professional equipment and/or studio space is not necessary for a successful application to NYO2. With attention to a few details, your music making can be conveyed using readily available consumer electronics. Many past participants have recorded successful applications using iPhones or other smartphones. Please refer to our Video Guidelines for additional information and suggestions for effectively recording your audition.

Required Video Segments:

• Introduction: Before performing your solo selection, please include a spoken introduction in which you state your name, instrument, hometown, and title of the solo work you have chosen.
• Solo Piece: The solo piece can be any work of your choice, or a movement/section of a longer work, provided that it is approximately three minutes in duration. If the piece is longer than three minutes, you may record an excerpt or submit an unedited three-minute section from a longer recording. You may also use a recent solo recording if it meets the NYO2 audition requirements, but please record and upload the spoken introduction separately. You may perform your solo work with or without accompaniment.
• Excerpts: Each instrument has two required orchestral excerpts. (Percussionists will be asked to play one excerpt on each of a few standard instruments.)
• Video Essay: Please record an answer to one of the following questions:
  • What is a non-musical interest or activity that you are passionate about and why?
  • What musician (of any genre) most inspires you and why (or how)?
  • What is your favorite non-musical creative work (book, painting, poem, movie, etc.) and why does it speak to you?

Citizenship/Residency: NYO2 is open to US citizens or full-time US residents.

Age Limit: You must be between the ages of 14 and 17 during the summer of your participation. For 2021, this means that your birthdate must be between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2007, without exception.

Grade Level: Participation in NYO2 is limited to middle and high school students within the age range above. You must be enrolled in middle school, high school, or the equivalent level of homeschooling during the 2020–2021 academic year to be eligible for the 2021 NYO2 program. Gap-year students who graduated from high school in 2020 (or earlier) are not eligible.

Invited students and their parent/guardian(s) are expected to arrange air or ground transportation to attend the NYO2 program, traveling to/from the New York City area on designated arrival and departure dates. Assistance to cover this travel cost is available in cases of financial need, and information about how to apply for a travel award will be provided to accepted applicants.

All other travel associated with participation in NYO2, including commercial flights to/from Miami, airport transfers, sightseeing excursions, and ground transportation for activities taking place outside of the Purchase College campus, is arranged and paid for by Carnegie Hall.